Draft regulator



Feb. 1, 1949. F SCHNEIDER 2,460,538

DRAFT REGULATOR Filed March 14, 1945 2 Sheds-Sheet 1 INVENTOR Ham: h. Jane/Her ATTO R N EY 1949. F, H. SCHNEIDER 2, 8

DRAFT REGULATOR Filed March 14, 1945 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 I I I I I I I I i i INVENTOR 59m? b. Jaime/def ATTO R N EY Patented Feb. 1, 1949 "FrankH. Schneider, Gardner, Mass., assignor to Florence Stove Company,' (iardner, Mass, a

corporation'of Massachusetts Ami-teammates 14, 1945, Serial No. 582,764

' used with any type of furnace, but it has been found particularly successful in use with range oil burners, pot burners, and other oil burners which operate under low and sensitive draft conditions. Provision has been madein the presentinvention for very accurate adjustment; as small differences in draft conditions resultin materially different degrees of operating efiiciency.

These and other objects of the invention will become more apparent as the description proceeds with the aid of theaccompanying drawings, in which fl p Fig. 1 is a perspective view of one species of the invention. I: p "Fig. 2 is a vertical section on the'line' 2--2 of Fig.1.. p

Fig. .3 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a horizontal section on the line 4-4 of Fig. 2. I

Fig. 5 is a section on the line b-E of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another species of the invention. p y

Fig. '7 is a vertical section on the line i -l of Fig. 6. v W

Fig. 8 is a front elevation of the construction shown in Figs.-6 and 7.

Since the chimney pressures are onlyslightly lower than atmospheric, it' is essential that the regulator be sensitive to small pressure changes, so that suflicient additional, outside air maybe quickly admitted to the chimney to maintain the draft conditions substantially constant.

The construction utilized in the present invention results in proper sensitivity and likewise facilitates the adjustment of the regulator so as to operate with the best possible results.

Referring to Figs. 1 and 2, the draft? regulator is shown connectedto a short" section of horizontal pipe 2, which leadsinto the chimney 4. The draft regulator may be constructed as an individual unit, generally referred to asfi, and which is adapted to be inserted intothe end of pipe 2, as shown in Fig. 2; V v The regulator itself is constructedfof anannular member 8, which consists of a vertical flange In, a circumferential shoulderlZ, and an inner flange Id. The inner flange l4 supports a disc or baffle It; which is pivoted and" weighted 5 Claims. (01. 236-45) insuch manner that it may open to a greater or less degree, depending upon the pressures that are'developed within the chimney i.

The baflie '6 is supported by a shaft !8, which may be attached to the face of the disc in any convenient manner. The method shown utilizes a strap punched from the central area of the baffle 18 arching forwardly a sufficient distance topermit the insertion of shaft [8. The entire width of the baffle has been creased slightly to the rear, so that shaft i8, as it rests against the baffle, is inver'ti'cal alignment with the plane of the baffle. Shaft i3 is located above the middle of baffle'lii', so that the baiiie hangs vertically.

upper part of baflie l5 by strap 32 and the bear- Similarly. in flange I4, straps 22 and 24 have been struck outwardly so that the ends of shaft l8 maybe inserted therein. By careful manufacture, the clearances between shaft I8 and straps 22 and 24 can be arranged so that the pivoting action'is very free, that is, there will be such limited friction that baffle it will rotate upon the application of a very small pressure.

' 'To the upper part of the baffle is affixed the counterbalancing and adjusting mechanism. This consists of a small horizontal disc 26 mounted on a vertical shaft 28, as shown in Fig. 5. In order to accommodate adjusting disc 26 in the upper part of bafile it, a transverse slot 30 is "provided, with its dimensions only slightly greater than the cross section of disc 26. 2B is supported in position in slot 39 by the vertical shaft28; which in turn is maintained on the ing surface 34. Frictional engagement between strap 32 and shaft 28 is sufficient to hold disc 26 against free rotation'but it is not so tight as to prevent rotation by hand. Shaft 28 is-located substantially in the plane of bafile l5, ascan be seen in Fig. 2.

on the under side of disc 25 is secured a weight 35 of changing contour, as can be seen in Fig. 4.

It will be obvious that as disc 26 is rotated, the location of the center of gravity of disc '26 with respect to the vertical plane of baffle It may be varied. v I

When the center of gravity of disc 26 is placed in the plane of baflie It, the baffle will remam in vertical position, as the weight of that part of the baffle below shaft l8 slightly exceeds the combined weight of that part of the baffle above shaft 18 plus the weight of the adjusting 'disc .2fi.. When the center of gravity is to the rear vof the baffle, the latter will tend to rotate counterclockwise, as seen in Fig. 2, but whenthe center of gravity is in front of the bafiie, rotation of adjusting disc 26.

will be clockwise. However, the bafile is intended to rotate in one direction only, namely clockwise, as shown in Fig. 2, to admit air to the chimney. To prevent motion in the other direction, should the chimney pressure exceed atmospheric, a small finger 38 is attached to the bottom of the bafiie to engage the inside of flange I4. I

For any given setting of the adjusting disc,the bafiie will swing open an amount Varying with the negative pressure in the chimney. The greater the negative pressure in the chimney, the greater the extent of the openirig'bf "the baffle for a selected disc setting. t v,

If, in a given installation, it is foundjneces'sary to decrease the amount of airadmittdth'rough' the regulator in order to secure suitablecombustion in the burner, such result may b'e achieved by rotating the adjustin disc to move the center of gravity to the rear of the plane ofthe bailie. When this is done, it is obvious that it will take a greater negative pressure in thechimneyto swing the baffle open to the same extent as"o'ccurred at the previous setting.

Thus, the amount of air entering the "chimney through the regulator may be easily controlled" with the result that the negative pressu'r'e'jor draft may likewise be controlled. g

In order that the operator may quickly .set

the regulator to meet particular draft conditions weight 54 on lever 52 may be variedby rotating or to duplicate a previous setting, disc" 26 "is' suitably marked about its circumference, as indicated at 40 in Figs. 1, 2 and3, andadditional points of reference H, M, and L, meaning high, medium, and low, may be included, as shown in I Figs. 3 and 4. A pointer 42 depends fromfla'nge" ID, with its end in proximity to the circumference The desired indicationbn disc 26 may be brought in alignment, with the pointer 42, so that the proper draft con ditions may be obtained. 7

When the baffle is in vertical positionfithe clearance between the perimeter of thej-baiile and the interior circumference of flange l4 is fsrnall, and the clearance between slot 30' andjdisc'26 is likewise limited, entrance of any appreciable"amorifithf'airfso long as the baffle remains in closed position." The construction of disc ZBpermits an infinite pmwhich may be, quickly ber of draft adjustments and accurately made. i I v A second form of the invention is shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8. In this construction the'supporting flange that is attached to the pipe 2 is the same as that shown in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, and, likewise, baiile l6 fits closely within the confines of flange l4. The difierenceresides intheconstruction of the adjustable weight which is utilized to control the opening of jthef baifie under varying pressure conditions in 'th'cl'iininey. 1 l The adjustable weight construction shown in Figs. 6, 7, and 8 consists of ashaft, 44 which may 1 be attached to bafiie l6 in the same mariner'fas shaft I8 is attached in Figs. 1, 2, and 3, or" it may be soldered, welded, or otherwise secured to the baflie in the position shown in Figs. 7 and 8. The ends of shaft 44 pass througnapertiire's 46 and 48in opposite sides of the pipe 2, thereby providing a bearing surface which permits the bafiie I6 to rotate easily. r "'A stop 50 at the bottom of the'b'aflle," by en-' gagement with flange M, will prevent: con'terclockwise rotation of the baffle as viewed in Fig. '7. A small hole 5! is located in the baflie in front "of shaft 44. Pivoted on shaft 44 and extending- "through hole 5| is a lever" 52 threadedatboth thereby preventing, .the

IO ing, or in any other convenient manner. A

longitudinal slot extends through most of the '"l'ngtHof the arch and is in alignment with the are swept by lever 52 as it is rotated about shaft 44. j'Thewidth of thumb screw 56 at the bottom 15" i's greaterthanlthe width of opening 60, so that I when the thumb screw is screwed downwardly, it will engagethe' arch with suflicient frictional force to lock the lever 52 in any desired angular position with respect to the baffle. 2 This construction enables the centerof gravity of the, balileandiassociamd parts to bevaried rapidly and accurately to' meet particular draft fc'onditions. When the weight 54 'is se't at any given'position on lever 52,'the centerofgravity ay" be moved by' loosenihg thelbh rnb screw 56 andswinging'the outer'end of lever 5211p ordown, thereby moving wei'ghtf541away fromfor toward m -p e of ban l t. a i If further adjustment is des'iredgthe lo'cation of the letters H, and L, man'ing' high,f'medium,

and, low, so that the op rator may readily set fthe re'gulatontoan approximate operating posi- 'tio'n', or so tha't'he inayre'set' the regulator ,to an exact predeter rrlin ed v position...

Both forms'of the"inve'n'tion ar Qofflsiinple -"40 r11echanipa1 construction, but at same time provide the'necessaryaccuracy of adjustment'jand permit easy maintenance of draft conditions that have been" determined tofre'sult in satisfactory operation in connection withan'y particular Steve 5 installation. I

It will beunderstood that the bearing supports for sliafts' land 44 provide sufficiently small frictional resistance to enable the baffles to rotate ,pnder as,;low 1 ressure draft conditions as -will D "be ricountered'. The bearings as "shown 1 are only, representative, and it will be understood that if improved bearings are req'uir'ed', they may beprovided without departing from the invention. @Whilepreferred forms of the invention have vbee'n' shownand'described, itis to be understood thatthe invention is not to be limited thereby, but only by the appended claims. I'claim: j V a 1. A draft regulator comprising-asupporting frame having an opening therethrough, a bafiie substantially closing said opening and supported by pivotal'means above its middle whereby said b aflie mayswing in said opening, a lever extendingthrough said baffie and pivotally connected ftherjeto to' be movable in a generally vertical plane, aweight movable along said lever on one side of said baffle, and means associatedwith the f other end of said lever for maintaining said lever in selected angular relation with said baffle.

2. A draft regulator comprising a supporting jfr'ai'ne having an'opening therethrough, a baffle substantially closing said opening and supported ,bypivot'al means above its middle whereby said baflle may swing in. said opening, a l'ever extend- "iiig throiigfi said tame pivotally connected thereto, whereby said lever may move in a generally vertical plane, said lever bent in the form of a V, whereby when one end of said lever is substantially horizontal, the other end will extend at an upward angle, a weight movable on one end of said lever whereby the efiective center of gravity of said battle and lever may be varied toward or away from the plane of said baflie, and means associated with the other end of said lever whereby said lever may be maintained in selected angular relation to said baiiie.

3. A draft regulator comprising a supporting frame having an opening therethrough, a bafiie substantially closing said opening and supported by pivotal means above its middle whereby said baflie may swing in said opening, a lever extending through said baille and pivotally related thereto, whereby said lever may move in a generally vertical plane, an adjustable'weight on one end of said lever, a member movable along the other end of said lever, and co-operating means associated with one face of said bafile whereby said member may be brought into engagement therewith to maintain said lever in selected angular relation with respect to said baflle.

4. A draft regulator comprising a supporting frame having an opening therethrough, a battle substantially closing said opening and supported by pivotal means above its middle whereby said bailie may swing in said opening, a lever extending through said baille and pivotally connected thereto to be movable in a generally vertical plane, a weight movable along said lever on one side of said baffle, means associated with the other end of said lever for maintaining said lever in selected angular relation with said baflle, said means comprising a member threaded on the said other end of said lever for movement therealong, and an arch attached to said baiile and so located that it may be engaged by said member in all desired angular positions of said lever.

5. A draft regulator comprising a supporting frame having an openin therethrough, a baille substantially closing said opening and supported by pivotal means above its middle whereby said bafiie may swing in said opening, a lever extending through said baffle and pivotally connected thereto to be movable in a generally vertical plane, a weight movable along said lever on one side of said baifle, a member movable along the other end of said lever on the other side of said baiile, means for maintaining said weight at any position on said lever at which it may be set, an arch attached to the other side of said battle and having a longitudinal opening, said arch so positioned that the other end of said lever extends through said opening, and means on the other end of said lever for permitting said member to be forced against said arch to maintain said lever in any desired position with respect to said baifie.

FRANK H. SCHNEIDER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS 7 Number Name Date 1,809,005 Walker June 9, 1931 2,194,608 Miller Mar. 26, 1940 2,251,440 Cunningham Aug. 5, 1941 2,289,579 Klermund et al. July 14, 1942 2,335,740 Cole Nov. 30, 1943 

